MS HB496

Amends Mississippi Code Section 93-5-1 to remove the requirements of "willful and obstinate" from the desertion ground for divorce, changing it to "continued desertion for one year"

Adds a thirteenth ground for divorce allowing either party to obtain a divorce when the court finds the marriage has suffered an irretrievable breakdown and further reconciliation attempts are impractical, futile, or not in the best interests of the parties or family

Increases the total number of divorce grounds from twelve to thirteen

Takes effect July 1, 2025